take shape
idiomatic phrase
: to assume a definite or distinctive form : to develop and become apparent or established
The plan is finally taking shape.
Edison's tireless work habits took shape during his childhood …—
Paul Gray
Paul GrayThe proto-planetary fragments crashed together, coalesced by gravity, and crashed again into other fragments, until they gradually took shape as the planets we know today.—M. Mitchell Waldrop
M. Mitchell Waldrop… the first half of the century, before the modern medical system took shape.—Geoffrey Cowley
Geoffrey CowleyExamples of take shape in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This property, set across 42 pristine acres at 4581 E Highway 4, has known only one owner since its vision first took shape in 2001.
—Sacbee.com, 22 Nov. 2025
Williams likely saved the market Friday from a potential sell-off that appeared to be taking shape, with stocks outside of tech mostly firm and supporting the major averages on the prospects of lower rates.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025
The modern international matchmaking industry, however, took shape in the 1970s, when catalogs of mostly Filipino women’s photos and addresses were sold to American men.
—Julia Meszaros, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025
These combined experiences influenced the development of NFC’s model, which first began taking shape in 2020.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take shape
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Sacbee.com, 22 Nov. 2025
Williams likely saved the market Friday from a potential sell-off that appeared to be taking shape, with stocks outside of tech mostly firm and supporting the major averages on the prospects of lower rates.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025
The modern international matchmaking industry, however, took shape in the 1970s, when catalogs of mostly Filipino women’s photos and addresses were sold to American men.
—Julia Meszaros, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025
These combined experiences influenced the development of NFC’s model, which first began taking shape in 2020.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take shape
Cite this Entry
“Take shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20shape. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.
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